All Aurora officers to carry Tasers

Tasers will be carried by all Aurora police officers in what is described as an effort to prevent injuries to officers and combative suspects.

"Utilizing Tasers will allow us to stop many of these incidents before they escalate," said Aurora Chief of Police Gregory Thomas. "It's a very good non-lethal option."

FOR THE RECORD - Additional material published May 9, 2008:CORRECTIONS AND CLARIFICATIONSA Metro section story on Thursday incorrectly reported that all Aurora police would begin carrying Tasers. All officers will be trained to use the electric stun devices but will not be required to carry them, according to police spokesman Dan Ferrelli. The article also reported that there were 245 Taser-related deaths since 2001, according to an Amnesty International study that ended in June 2006. In fact, Amnesty International said the study was extended to June 2007 and placed deaths at over 290.

Three SWAT officers have been carrying the weapons, which deliver a powerful electric shock, and several more will be equipped soon, said Aurora police spokesman Dan Ferrelli.

"All of our officers will be trained and authorized to use Tasers," Ferrelli said. "We'd been considering this for several years."

At any one time, 10 to 15 Aurora officers are on restricted duty because of injuries received while struggling with a combative suspect, Thomas said.

Police use Tasers on subjects who attack or resist an officer and those who may be armed and threatening violence or suicide.

Taser use has become controversial in recent years because of cases in which a subject has died after being shocked. Two weeks ago, a Chicago man, 24, died after being shocked with a Taser following an altercation with police outside a bar in Bedford, Ohio.

A study by Amnesty International concluded last year that 245 deaths since June 2001 could be attributed to Taser shocks.

West Chicago has opted against using the devices.

"We've found that other methods of restraint are equally effective," said City Atty. Pat Bond. "And there's always the concern over whether an arrestee has a medical condition."

Still, many other departments in DuPage County, including Downers Grove, use Tasers. The devices have been used by police in Naperville for years and since 2003 in Chicago.

"We've found that it is a very effective tool for an officer to have when we take someone into custody," said Downers Grove Deputy Chief James Black.